Spring-motor



O. E. BOAS.

SPRING MOTOR.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, I9I9- 1 337,385. Patented Apr; 20, 1920.

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SPRING MOTOR. APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 19W.

1,837,385. Patented Apr. 20, 1920,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 11. fly- WITNESSES 0 AIIIBOCJS, l/VVE/VTOI? A TTOl-f/VEYS OLIVER EDWARD BOAS, OF FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS.

SPRING-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Application filed August 20, 1919. Serial No. 318,799.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER EDWARD BOAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Smith, in the county of Sebastian and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sprirg-Motors, of

' which the following is a specification.

broken or otherwise injured and the insertion of a new spring.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which will retain the spring in the coiled condition, and detachably connecting its ends with the barrel and rotatable element or shaft, such detachable connections for the ends of the spring being adapted to be actuated quickly and conveniently for connecting and disconnecting the same, but at the same time rendering it impossible for the ends of the spring being accidentally or improperly disconnected from the parts of the spring motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which is simply constructed, cheap to manufacture, and convenient in use.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention, parts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig; 3 is a plan view of the inner end of the spring,

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the attaching element turned at a right angle,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the attaching element,

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the same, parts in section,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the inner end of the spring and attaching element, showing a slightly different form of construction,

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the attaching element for the inner end of the spring of a slightly different form,

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through a device embodying my invention, showing a slightly different form of spring container or holder,

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a device embodying a further diflerent form of my in vention,

Fig. 12 is a transverse section on line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

In the drawings, I have shown a unit of a spring motor barrel, embodying a rotatable drum 10, having an opening 11, for pivotally receiving a rotatable element or sleeve 12, rigidly secured to a winding shaft 13. There are as many of these drums as there are springs in the motor.

The numeral 14 designates a spring holder or container, adapted for insertion within the drum 10, and having a flange 15 to contact with the flange 16 of the drum. It might be stated at this point that the holder or container 14 may be constructed very cheaply, so that it may be thrown away after a single use, or it might be saved and used again, as desired.

The holder or container 14 receives therein a coiled spring 17, and prevents the spring from opening or unwinding, but does not place it under substantial tension.

The outer end of the spring is apertured for receiving an attaching element or rivet 18, having an inner head 19, and an outer head 20. The head 20 is adapted to be passed through an opening 21 in the holder or container 14, and also to be passed through an opening 22 in the flange 16, the shank of the rivet passing through a slot 23. as clearly shown invFig. 1. It is thus apparent that the rivet 18 may be inserted through the slot 23, as the container 11 is being moved into the open side of thedrum. The attaching element or rivet 18 may be permanently or detachably secured to the outer end of the spring 17 as may be found advantageous. Y

The attaching element for the inner end of the spring 17, embodies a slide 24, which is preferably trapezoidal in cross section and increases in width inwardly. This slide is adapted for insertion within. a groove 25, extending longitudinally of the sleeve or element 12, this groove also being preferably trapezoidal in cross section. It is obvious that the slide cannot be moved radially out of the groove 25.

Secured to the-slide 24 is a shank 26, having a preferably elliptical head 27 secured to its free end. The slide is preferably rectangular and the elliptical head is longer than the slide and a rectangular opening 28 formed in the inner end of the spring 17. The head 27 and slide 24 extend longitudinally in the same direction, and the slide is adapted to be inserted downwardly through the opening 28, while the head 27 cannot pass therethrough, these parts being sub sequently turned for a quarter of a revolution, to assume the transverse position shown in Fig. 4, so that the slide will be parallel with the groove 25, and adapted to enter the same.

In Fig. 8, I have shown the inner end of the spring provided with an elliptical opening 30, of proper size to permit of the passage of the elliptical head 27, while the rectangular base 2tcannot pass through this opening. It is obvious that the head 27 is inserted by an upward movement through the opening 30, subsequent to which the attaching element is turned for a quarter of a revolution for the purpose above stated. I wish it understood that I may construct the attaching element, so that either or both the slide 2 1 and head 27 may be passed through the opening in the spring.

In Fig. 9, I have shown the element or sleeve 12 as equipped with a tongue 31, trapezoidal in cross section to enter a groove 32 formed in the slide 24. All of the parts remain the same. It is thus seen that the tongued and grooved connection of Fig. 2 is reversed. I also wish it .understood that the invention is in no sense restricted to the trapezoidal shape of the tongue and groove,

as the same may be T-shaped in cross section or otherwise undercut.

In Fig. 10- I have shown a slightly diiferent form of spring holder or container having an annular flange 34 adapted to enter the periphery of the drum 10. This container serves to close the open side of the drum. The flange 34 carries the rivet 18, which is secured to the drum, as hereinbefore described. All the parts remain the same.

In Fig. 11 I have shown the drum 1() provided with an internal separating element 35, having radially bent portions 36. which are attached to the periphery of the drum by rivets 37. The separating element 35 is disposed in spaced concentric relation to the drum 10, and has a transverse slot 38. corresponding to the slot 23, for the reception of the rivet 18. The separating element is adapted to receive the spring holder 14. and provide means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the drum without forming the slot in the periphery .thereof.

In the use of the device, the spring will be inserted in the holder at the factory and it thereafter becomes unnecessary to again handle the spring in its uncoiled condition. The dealers may carry holders with springs therein and such springs may therefore be easily connected in place, when repairs are needed, by anyone wholly inexperienced in such matters. The inner end of the spring is ordinarily first connected to the element 12 and then holder, spring, sleeve and shaft will be slipped into position.

It is not essential that the slot 22 in the drum extend through the' free edge thereof. To make the drum oil tight, the slot may be ended an appreciable distance from the free edge thereof. The head 20 of the stud or anchoring pin 18 would then be detachable. being adapted to screw onto the shank of the stud 18, which would then be screwthreaded. A cover plate is provided sutliciently large to cover the slot and has a hole just large enough to allow the shank of the stud to pass through the same. I The head 20 is screwed down, and the cover plate held firmly over the slot and at the same time anchoring the spring to the drum. The holder with the spring therein is inserted in the drum by inclining its plane to the plane of the drum and inserting the shank of the stud in the slot, at which time the holder may be easily pressed into the drum. the cover plate being then placed in position and the head 20 screwed down.

When the shaft 13 is not provided with a sleeve 12, the inner attaching element may be applied directly to the shaft.

I prefer to use the attaching elements herewith shown and described in connection with the outer and inner ends of the spring. but I may employ either attaching element alone, in combination with some other form of attaching means, and the invention employed successfully.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claimsv Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described, a drum having one side open and provided in its periphery with a transverse slot extending'through the free edge thereof, an element upon which the drum is rotatable, said element being provided with a' longitudinal groove which is trapezoidal in cross section and decreases in width outwardly, a container adapted for insertion within the open side of the drum and provided in its periphery-with an opening, a

spring held within the container and provided near its inner end with an opening, an attaching element carried by the outer end of the spring and passing through the opening in the periphery of the container and adapted for insertion within the slot of the drum, and an attaching element for the inner end of the spring, including a slide which is trapezoidal in cross section to enter the longitudinal groove, a shank secured to the slide, and a head secured to the shank and larger than the slide, said slide being adapted to be passed through the opening in the inner end of the spring and the head being incapable of passing therethrough.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a drum having one side open and provided in its periphery with a transverse slot extending through the free edge thereof, an element upon which the drum is rotatable, a container adapted for insertion within the open side of the drum and provided in its periphery with an opening, a spring held within the container, a headed attaching element secured to the outer end of the spring and passing through the opening in the periphery of the container and adapted for insertion within the slot of the drum, and means to connect the inner end of the spring with the element.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a drum having one side open, an element upon which the drum is rotatable provided with a longitudinal groove which is trapezoidal in cross section and decreases in width outwardly, a container adapted for insertion within the open side of the drum, a spring held within the container and provided in its inner end with an opening, a slide adapted to be passed through said opening and formed trapezoidal in cross section for insertion within the longitudinal groove, a shank carried by the slide, a head secured to the shank and being larger than the slide so that it cannot pass through the opening, and means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the periphery of the drum.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum, an element supporting the drum for revolution thereon, a container adapted to be inserted within the drum, a coil spring arranged within the container and surrounding said element, means extending through the container to connect the outer end of the spring with the drum, and means for connecting the inner end of the spring and element.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum, an element pivotally supporting the drum, a holder adapted to be inserted within the drum, a spring coiled within the holder, means connecting the inner end of the spring with the element embodying partshaving interfitting slidable engagement, and means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the drum.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum, an element pivotally supporting the drum, a container adapted to be inserted within the drum, a spring held within the container, means connecting the inner end of the spring with the element embodying members having interlocked detachable slidable engagement, and an element secured to the outer end of the spring and passing through the periphery of the container and detachably connected with the drum.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum, an element pivotally supporting the drum, a container adapted to be inserted within the drum, a coiled spring held within the container and having its inner end provided with an opening, an attaching element including a shank and spaced members, one member being adapted to pass through said opening and the other member incapable of passing through said opening, one member having detachable connection with said supporting element, and means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the drum.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a drum, a separating element arranged therein and spaced therefrom, a container held within the separating element, a coiled spring within the container, a stud secured to the outer end of the coiled spring and passing through the container and engaging the separating element, an element supporting the drum, and means detachably connecting the inner end of the spring and supporting element.

9. The combination with an element, of a coil spring surrounding the same and provided near its inner end with an opening and means connecting the inner end of the spring with said element including a slide adapted for engagement with said element, a

head adapted to engage said spring, and a shank extending through the opening of said spring for connecting said head and said slide.

10. The combination with a rotatable element, of a drum rotatably supported thereon, a coil spring arranged within the drum and provided near'its inner end with an opening, means connecting the inner end of the spring with the element, including a slide adapted for engagement with said element, a head adapted to bear against said spring and a shank extending through the opening of said spring for connecting said head and said slide, and means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the drum.

11. In an apparatus of the character described,ca rotatable drum, an element ro-' tatably supporting said drum, a coil spring arranged within the drum and having its inner end provided with an opening, an attaching element including a shank and .spaced members, one of said members being adapted to pass through said opening and the other member incapable of passing through said opening, one member having a detachable connection with said supporting element, and means for connecting the outer end of the spring with the drum.

12. The combination with an element, of a coil spring surrounding the same and provided near its inner end with an opening.

and means connecting the inner end of the spring with the element including a shank and spaced members, one member adapted to pass through said opening and the other member incapable of passing through said opening, and one member having detachable connection with said element.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a drum having one side open and provided in its periphery with a transverse slot extending through the free end thereof, an-element upon which the drum is rotatable, a head attaching element secured to the outer end of the spring and adapted for insertion within the slotof the drum, and means to connect the inner end of the spring with the element.

OLIVER EDWVARD BOAS. 

